Ministerial Statement

Defence White Paper

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: The release of today's 2016 Defence White Paper is a win for South Australia. I commend the federal government's long-term, significant investment in Australia's defence forces and recognition of industry as a fundamental defence capability. The white paper outlines a raft of opportunities for South Australia. The commonwealth's commitment to a continuous build of 12 submarines, for which we have fought long and hard, is a win for workers, families, businesses and an entire industry sector. It is also a win for Australia.

Eighteen months ago, the commonwealth was talking about defence procurement in terms of short-term, value for money decisions. The defence of our country is now recognised as being more than Army, Navy and Air Force; it now has a fourth partner in the Australian defence industry. This fundamental shift has come after a prolonged campaign by the South Australian government, unions (representing shipyard workers) and industry, through the Defence Teaming Centre and its Australian Made Defence campaign. This is what happens when you stand up for South Australia.

While the good news is a fundamental shift in procurement strategy, there are still a few unanswered questions. We are yet to see a commitment to build the first full submarine fleet in Australia, centred at Techport in South Australia. The white paper reconfirmed the future frigate fleet will be built in South Australia, with a continuous build of nine anti-submarine warfare vessels. It also committed to a continuous build of minor warships, starting with 12 offshore patrol vessels; however, it remained silent on the build location.

While reconfirmation that future frigates will be built in Adelaide is great news for South Australia, it does not address the immediate challenge facing our local shipbuilding industry. The Valley of Death is real. Hundreds of shipbuilding workers have lost their jobs and there are more to come. Other key—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: There's something you can do about it. Other key investment decisions in the 2016 Defence White Paper for South Australia include:

an increase from eight to 15 P-8 aircraft, which are based at RAAF Base Edinburgh;

confirmation the government will acquire seven high-altitude Triton unmanned aircraft, which are likely to be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh;

a $1 billion to $2 billion investment in enhancing the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, which based at the RAAF Base Edinburgh;

a $500 million to $750 million redevelopment of the Woomera Range, based in the state's north-west;

a $1 billion to $2 billion investment to convert the interim distributed ground station based in the Edinburg Defence Precinct into permanent facilities; and

a $1 billion to $2 billion deployable air defence system to replace the existing capability at the Army's Woodside base.

We look forward to partnering with Defence, industry and academia to successfully deliver the capability challenges facing Australian defence forces, and the innovation needed for next-generation technologies.